Subscriber Retention is an important topic with the current state of Email Marketing as it is. Establishing trust and building relationships with potential readers has become increasingly difficult. Unsubscribe rates are at an all-time high. This being the case, you should take special measures to create a warm list… and keep it that way.

4 Ways To Keep Your Mailing List From Freezing Over

1. Start Warm

Begin your relationship with subscribers on a personal level. You want them to know who you are, what you’re about, and what they can expect from you. Be personable in your sales copy, or at least on your About or Profile page. Your goal is to make a positive impression, and then build on that relationshp and establish trust with your readers.

Tips:
- Create a personable About page or Profile on your website
- Let visitors know what they can expect when they sign up to your mailing list
- Follow-up with a thank-you note and welcome them to your list

2. Stay Warm

In order to keep your subscribers interested in your emails, you have to deliver exactly what you promised. Stay focused, and keep your messages on topic. Your goal is to create a highly targeted list of readers that are specifically interested in what you have to say or offer. Keep their expectations in mind in every aspect of your publishing process.

Tips:
- Look back over the sales copy for your newsletter - What did you promise?
- Use a feedback or polling system so readers can submit questions/ideas
- Keep all content, advertisers and recommendations tightly focused

3. Heat Things Up

Warm is good, but HOT is better . Heat things up a bit by over-delivering on your promises and on your readers’ expectations. Surprise them, impress them, and have them anticipating future email messages from you.

Tips:
- Secure an interview with an Expert in your industry
- Give them a free report on a current or hot topic in your market
- Get exclusive specials/deals just for your readers

4. Make It Sizzle

One of the best ways to increase your open rate and click-through’s on email messages is to get your list involved. Consider the ways that you can make your list interactive by offering your readers an opportunity they would be crazy to pass up! Two things that really encourage involvement are competition & cash (or a valuable equivalent). Your goal is to make it an irresistable no-brainer for them to stay subscribed to your list… so they dont miss out.

Tips:
- Have monthly contests and give away cash or cool prizes
- Regularly feature random subscribers (if exposure is valuable in your niche)
- Out of the blue, offer $100 for the best review of one of your products
- Offer industry-specific opportunities to select readers
(that they cant get elsewhere)

These are key points in keeping subscribers interested in your emails, and gaining new subscribers through referrals and personal recommendations. Put some of these tips into action and put the heat under your Email Marketing strategy!

Best,

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Lisa Preston created Instant Niche Emails to do all the work for you. Be sure to sign up for the Free Report on her site to find out how to “have subscribers lining up to read your emails!”

Click Here to learn more about Instant Niche Emails II

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Tags: subscriber retention, retention rate, ezine, newsletter, mailing list, aweber